Skin Care During Pregnancy: What's Safe
Skin care ingredients commonly avoided in pregnancy, those generally considered fine, treatments to pause, melasma and SPF, and gentle facials.
Written byFlourish TCM ClinicTraditional Chinese Medicine & skin care · Yaletown, Vancouver
Reviewed byTabasom (Tabi) Mirshahi, R.Ac., R.TCM.P.
Skin Care During Pregnancy: What's Safe
During pregnancy, skin often changes: breakouts, dryness, sensitivity and dark patches (melasma) are common. Some ingredients, such as retinoids, are generally avoided, while gentle cleansers, moisturisers and mineral sunscreen are widely considered fine. Many clinic treatments, including microneedling, radiofrequency and strong peels, are paused. Always check with your doctor or midwife.
Ingredients commonly avoided in pregnancy
These are typically avoided or used only on medical advice:
- Retinoids: retinol, retinaldehyde, tretinoin, adapalene, and oral isotretinoin.
- High-strength salicylic acid peels. Low-concentration wash-off products are often considered acceptable; ask your doctor.
- Hydroquinone.
- Some essential oils in high concentrations.
Ingredients generally considered fine
Commonly regarded as suitable (still check with your provider):
- gentle cleansers and fragrance-free moisturisers;
- hyaluronic acid and glycerin for hydration;
- mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide);
- azelaic acid, often suggested for breakouts and pigmentation (ask your doctor);
- vitamin C for brightness (ask your doctor).
Treatments to pause during pregnancy
At Flourish, these are paused during pregnancy and breastfeeding:
- Microneedling + LED
- TriPollar RF
- micro-current such as the Bio-Current Facial
- strong peels and actives
Melasma and SPF
Melasma, sometimes called the "mask of pregnancy," shows as brown patches on the cheeks, forehead or upper lip, triggered by hormones and sun. Daily broad-spectrum mineral SPF, a hat and shade are your main protection, year-round in Vancouver too. Melasma often fades after pregnancy but can linger. See hyperpigmentation and uneven tone.
Gentle facials in pregnancy
Our Pregnancy & New Mom Facial is designed for pregnancy: gentle cleansing, exfoliation, massage and a mask using only OxyGeneo skin products, without devices, heat or strong actives. It's 75 minutes of care and rest. You're seated, semi-reclined or upright, whichever is most comfortable. It's available in any trimester; let us know your stage and check with your care provider if you're unsure.
A TCM note
Traditional Chinese Medicine places great importance on rest and nourishment during pregnancy. Slowing down, eating warm, nourishing meals and resting are part of TCM's view of this stage, and your skin often reflects how rested you are.
When to see a doctor
Check with your doctor or midwife before any treatment if your pregnancy is high-risk. See a doctor promptly for severe itching (especially palms and soles), a widespread rash, or any skin change that worries you. See pregnancy and postpartum skin.
Where to book
The Pregnancy & New Mom Facial is performed by Mina at our Yaletown clinic, close to False Creek and the West End.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a facial while pregnant?
Yes, a gentle, pregnancy-designed facial. Tell us your stage.
Is vitamin C safe in pregnancy?
It's commonly considered fine; check with your doctor.
What sunscreen should I use?
A broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen is a common choice.
When can I restart retinol?
Usually after pregnancy and breastfeeding; ask your doctor.
Will pregnancy acne go away?
It often settles after pregnancy.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology — Pregnancy skin care: what's safe (aad.org)
- Bozzo P, et al. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2011. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Murase JE, et al. Safety of dermatologic medications in pregnancy and lactation: Part I. Pregnancy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- American Academy of Dermatology — Melasma: overview (aad.org)
Information on this site is general and isn't a substitute for advice from your physician.
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